China (w) vs Russia (w): The Chinese women, even when not in form, try to serve very accurately

China ate just looking for their game in attack and receiving. But these girls are still serving in their best style with very few losses.

Despite the defeat for USA 0:3, the Chinese team played much better than in Turkey. They outplayed the American team on the block (the Turks were defeated) and improved their serve, having substituted Zhu Ting, who an opposite player replaced. The result was not long in coming. Yuan Xinyue from the third zone scored not four out of 16 but eight out of 12. The passes had become more comfortable.

And even though Zhu Ting did not reach 50% on the attack, she could score 16 out of 37 instead of 3 out of 15.

Well, Lang Ping’s girls could serve neither Turks nor Americans as they made three faults each.

All in all, China are coming to their senses, and the Russian team is a good opponent for their further progress.

Russian girls easily defeated Argentina in the previous round. The question remains how this team could compete decently against the USA, shutting down both Larson and Bartsch. The American team had to pass fast and low to the USA, and the Argentines had time to use their feet, and the height was convenient for the block. Startseva didn’t make up anything. She hung the ball to all her forwards. The Russian attacked from a height that was inaccessible for the Argentine block. All in all, we saw a classic Ekaterina Gamova game.

And here’s where the question arises - is it possible, playing the same way against China, to beat them? My answer is no. Women’s dominance is much higher, and high assists from Startseva will not make Chinese blockers move their rolls very quickly. High passes are a comfortable mode for the Chinese blockers and defenders. The Chinese will be everywhere in time, softening and lifting, while fast and low passes are a complete disqualification for Goncharova and her teammates.

Natalia scored six points against Italy and 17 against Argentina. The result of our main opposite in the match with China will tend to the second value rather than the first one as it is not a top China yet.

So, Russia lost to the beautiful China of the Nations League era in Rimini by 18 points. Now China are just gaining form. Well, I think the Russians can blank even China nine times and even in three sets.

And one more thing. Hoping for their block, China will habitually hold their serve. Russia, on the other hand, will most likely be forced to take risks on serve. That will produce more faults and more aces. Here’s what I’ve chosen:

• Handicap 1 (0.0), serve faults, for 2.05;
• China’s Total Over 8.5 blocks for 1.86;
• Russia to win with a handicap +15.5 for 1.93.